First Cast Poem by Andrew W.K. Yip

I cast a fast net in faint celestial light;
Its soaring silhouettes in the sky,
A frenzy of flaps and flutters of birds in flight,
On wings of dream and fancy, flying high.

I watched it spread its eager wide wings
To embrace the new dawn and sky.
It gleamed emerald with its sways and swings.
A short pause - then it dipped in this first try.

Sensually it stretched to stroke the ripples nearby,
Then bathed in beauty and passion caressing the sea.
Surely, knowing its magic, no vain fisher will put it by;
And no less a man with net and purpose shall I be.

Tho' fierce was the storm, I still lingered awhile - weary and wet.
Unwilling to take a parting handshake from a friend for years,
So, I heaved and heaved to haul up the heavy old net
And held on to what I nearly lost - a net of dripping tears.

Now I still brave the roaring of the sea or the surging wave and tide,
I cast and re-cast the old faithful net - a good catch to secure.
But in raging tempests or on a boat with a bumpy ride,
Ask God to be with us, nor let the wind and waves prevail for sure.

The first cast shows a man's faith, strength and cool.
He may be the salt of the earth, a fine fisherman to be;
Or just a lost soul with a faithless heart, or a feeble fumbling fool,
The man in a net at sea.